Can we resheathe or rescoop the needle in NMC OSCE?
In the NMC OSCE, candidates may be required to administer injections as part of the competency assessment. This exam evaluates nursing candidates’ clinical skills through practical testing.
As part of the examination process, you may be asked to showcase your proficiency and expertise in administering injections. These injections could be of different types, such as intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), or intradermal (ID) injections. Intramuscular injections are administered deep into the muscle tissue, subcutaneous injections are given just below the skin, and intradermal injections are given into the dermis layer of the skin. It is essential to have a thorough knowledge of these different injection types, their administration techniques, and safety measures to ensure efficient and safe patient care.
To prepare for injections in the NMC OSCE, it is important to review and understand the following:
1. Injection techniques: Familiarize yourself with the correct techniques for administering different types of injections. This includes understanding the appropriate needle size, injection site, angle of insertion, and aspiration (if required).
2. Infection control: Ensure you are knowledgeable about infection control practices, including hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and proper disposal of sharps.
3. Medication administration: Understand the specific medications that may be used in the context of injections, including their indications, contraindications, dosage calculations, and potential side effects.
4. Communication and patient safety: Practice effective communication skills, including obtaining informed consent, explaining the procedure to the patient, and addressing any concerns they may have. Additionally, prioritize patient safety by verifying the patient’s identity and confirming the correct medication and dosage.
The latest update from NHS highlights an important aspect of the IM Injection process. It is advised not to use the scooping method for discarding the loading needle.
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Do not resheathe your loading needle after loading the medicine while doing the procedure.
Instead, there is an alternative approach available that can be viewed in the accompanying video. If you are utilizing an administering needle that doesn’t have a safety lock, it is recommended to discard it along with the syringe into the sharps container. This practice ensures the safe and effective execution of the injection procedure.
A sharps bin or sharps container is a specially designed box with a lid that you can get on prescription (FP10 prescription form) from a GP or pharmacist.
it is a specialized container designed for the safe disposal of used medical sharps, such as needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp medical instruments. These bins are specifically designed to prevent accidental needlestick injuries and to ensure proper containment of potentially infectious materials.
Hope you will make these changes to your current understanding.
To watch the alternative disposal method using Sharps bin, please click here.
Steps involved in Administering the Injection
- Hand Hygiene
- Gather required articles.
- Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of visit.
- Locate and clean the injection site.
- Prepare the medication.
- Check with the patient before injecting the medication.
- Administer the medication.
- Explain and give health education to the patient.
- Discard all used materials
It is important to note that the specific requirements and expectations for injections in the NMC OSCE may vary. It is recommended to consult the NMC’s official guidelines and resources for detailed information on the assessment criteria and any specific protocols or procedures that may be applicable.
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